Sound-box.



w: J. TANNBR.

SOUND BOX. APPLLOATIOH FILED SEPT.18,1905.

Patented Jan.5,1909.

Mums-41mm 1.

w. TANNER. SOUND BOX.

APPLICATION FILED BEPT.18, 1905.

908,625. I Patented Jan.5, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J l;lTIm I -iiwu 6 E7971 WITNESSES 70 INVENTOR ii, ATTORNEY W. J. TANNE R. SOUND BOX. APPLICATION TILED aim-.18, 1005.

908,625. Patented Jan. 5,1909.

3 BHEETBBHBET-3.

I WITNESSES 'W INVENJSR 1 "I." n 1 a z w' I W UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. TANNER, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNEGTIOUT.

sown-Box.

No. 998,626. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 5, moo.

Application filed September 18, 1996. Serial No. 278,861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J TANNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Sound-Boxes, of which the ollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in recording and reproducing sound for sound-. boxes for talking machines, and it consists in certain details of construction to be more fully set forth in the following specification.

To enable others to understand my invention reference is bad to the accompanying drawings in which:

F igure-1- is an upper plan view of a sound-box embodying my improvements,

, among which, may be mentioned, the double needle-arm: Fig. 2-- is a broken sectional view on line a a of Fig. 1: Fig. 3' is a sectional view throu h the case bracket and soft metal seats 0 the needle arm support on line b b of Fig. 1: Fi 47- is a central sectional detail view of a iaphragm similar to the one shown at Fig. 2 except that the edges are flangedztFig. 5 is a detail central sectional View of a diaphragm having a raised solidcenter: Fig. 6 is a broken detail modification of the needle-arm: Fig. 7 is an upper plan view of the sound-box showing a plurality of needle-arms: Fig. 8 is a broken vertical sectional view on line- 0 c of Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a broken detail side. elevation of one of the needle-arms jointed in the body ortion: Fig. 10-- is a broken plan view 0 Fig. 9: Fig. 11is a broken upper plan view of the needle-arm support and broken view of three needle-arms mounted therein, two of which are pivotally supported, showingalso a modified construction of the muffler standard. Fig. 12- is another View showing an arrangement for moving the whole needle armzf Fig. 13. is a detail broken sectional view of a dia phragm with a depression in the surface to receive the sharp pointed end of the needlearm: .Fig. 14-5 is a side elevation. of a sound-box, broken sectional View of its socket, sectional View of the sleeve with a ball and socket connection between the sleeve and socket, and. broken view of a. sound-box supporting arm, and also a broken sectional view of a record disk.

Its construction and operation are as follows:

1 represents the case usually employed in instruments of this character. i

. 2 is a bracket projecting from. the case and integraltherewith: 3-the needle holder. The needle-arm support 4, and the semicircular base 5 are, preferably, 'made of one piece. This base is adapted to rest in semicircular non sound conducting" seats 6 and 65 I 6, and it is-frictionally secured thereto by the slot headed bolts 7. v

8 are springs, one only being shown at Figs. 2 and 8. These are nterposed between the heads of the bolts 7 and the base 5.

, One feature of my several improvements consists in employing a plurality of needlearms from two to any number that may be found most desirable to effect the best results. Increasing the number of arms improves the tone; making it more mellow and rounded. I

In Figs. .1, 2 and 3, two arms, 9 and 10,

are employed with their rear ends anchored,

in the upright or support 4. In Figs. 7 and 8 another and central arm 11 is employed. All but one of these arms can be arranged to be swung out of contact with the diaphragm -and thereby regulate the tone in accordance with the record desired to be played. This can be done in various ways,

among which I show, Figs. 10 and 11, the 1 arm 10 jointed so that the forward end of the. 'arm is adapted to be turned upward by swinging on'the ,pin 12.

13 is a horizontally. swinging plate pivotally supported on the screw 14 o one of the arm sections, while 15 is an attaching screw adaptedto engage with the threaded hole 16 in the other arm section when desired t clamp the two sections together.

In Fi 1, 2, 7 and 8, the mufiier standard 17 1s secured to the case' rin 18 by means of the screws 19. I In Fig. 12 1s shown a modification of this standard in which the slots 20 open into thescrew holes 20 so that, this standard can'readily be removed whenever it is desirable to temporarily ele vate one of the needle-arms, which movable arms, int-his construction, are pivotally su ported on the..pins.21 and 21 located int e .n eedIe-am support 4. The mufiler 22 is raised and 'Iowered,-Figs. 2 and 8, by means of thescrews 23.

Mica is the principal material now used for diaphragms. I have, however, found that celluloid alone or combined with mica, or like material gives much better results. For band records, where it is necessary to bring out'all of the instruments, I have found that a diaphragmmade entirely of celluloid gives the best results. In vocal records, where it is necessary to sharpen the tone, a combination of two different materials, like, for instance, celluloid and mica, give better results than where the diaphragm is all made of one material. Good results are also obtained by diaphragms made of vegetable matter like, for instance, wood, and particularly the inner surfaceof the bark of trees.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the large or outer diaphragm 24 is provided with the raised central portion or curb 24* having the central hole or opening, 25. 26 is a small mica diaphragm overlyingthis opening and it is secured in position by cement or any other suitable means. 27 1s a small circular disk of any suitable material interposed between the small mica diaphragm and the needlearm points. This disk will serve to prevent the sharp point of the needle-arm scratching or marring the diaphragm. It can also be used as means to unite the points of the plural arms into, virtually, one contact 'point. If desired, the slight depression 26, Fig. 13, could be formed in the upper surface of the diaphragm to receive the sharp point of the needle-arm. This will. keep the point of the arm in one unchangeable position. The large diaphragm 24 is stillened by means of the radial ribs 24". In Fig. 5 is shown the diaphragm 24 and the raised central portion 24 together with the upper needle-arm contact surface 24 as being all of one piece and that, preferably of celluloid. In Figs. 7 and 8 the larger or outer diaphragm 24 is devoid of ribs and the small central diaphragm 26 rests on topof the curb 24 instead of being seated in a depressionformed on the curb 24 shown at Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

In Fig.2 is shown the flexible tube 28 and the case-ring 18, which, in connection with the ring 29, made of bamboo, rubber, or

- other like substance, assist very materially the vibratory sound waves.

in lengthenin Iarge flexible tube or gasket 30 In Fig. 8 the supports the diaphragm 24 whose outer curved edge 24 partially embraces said gas ket. This feature of curving the edge of the diaphragm, see also Fig. 5, downwards, will cause it to lie snugly on the gasket, and thus obviate the necessity of placing'a second gasket-above the diaphragm. The pressure of the needle-arm will depressth'e diaphragm in its central portion, and, when the diaphragm is straight, will cause its outer edge to curl or turn upward and produce a false sound or blast. This is entirely overcome by curving the edge of the diaphragm downward.

Ifdesired, the main body portion of the needle-arm may be made of a single piece while the contact ends 31 may be formed, comb like, as shown at Fig. 6.

If desired, the arm or arms adapted to be continually held in contact with the diaphragm can be secured in any desirable manner.

In Fig. 12 the arm 11 is provided with the foot 11 and the binding screw 32.

The means for elevating the side movable needle arms, whether single or double, shown at Fig. 12, is by the screw 33 passing through a threaded hole in the support 4, with its free end revolubly mounted in the rocker arm 34, which arm is pivotally sup ported on the pin 35 of the base 5. 36 are collars on each side of the upper end of this rocker arm to prevent end play in the elevating screw 33. Turning this screw in the direction of arrow 6 will withdraw the shoulder 33 from contact with the vertical face of the support 4 a distance sufiicient to elevate the diaphragm contact point of the needle-arm 10 so as to carry it out of engagement with the diaphragm. Torengage the movable needle-arm with the diaphragm,

turn the screw'33 in the opposite direction until the shoulder 33 rests against the support 4, which shoulder will act as a stop to limit the pressure of the needle-arm against the diaphragm. The advantage of beingable to raise one or more of the arms out of" contact with the diaphragm enables the volume and tone to be readily and quickly changed to suit the character of the record.

37, Fig. 2, is apiece of rubber or other nonmetallic substance interposed between the springs 8 and the base to serve as insulators to counteract or soften the metallic vibrations.

' It will be understood that, in all of the constructions shown, whether the points of the needle-arms are free or secured to the diaphragm, it is important that the contact "of the needle-arm with the diaphragm be such as to insure that both the diaphragm and needle-arm vibrate in perfect unlson.

A large per cent. of the unharmonious sound emanating from a talking machine is due to the bad tracking of the needle. In other words, the spiral groove in the upper surface of adisk-record, in which the needle travels, is very apt to be more or less irregular as to its spiral formation so that, the needle instead of keeping where it should, viz: at the bottom of this groove, is forced, at times, hard against the sides. This irregular tracking produces a disagreeable rasping sound and "cry unpleasant to the 11S- tener. Anbther disadvantage of irregular tracking-is that the wearing qualities of the needle are very much shortened so that, the needle is thrown away after it has traveled over a record but once, besides, the record itself is also damaged to a more or less extent.

I have completely overcome the objectionable features above set forth by the construction shown at Fig. 14, wherein a ball and socket connection, presently to be described,

is formed between the sound-box and the sound-box supporting arm. 88 is a socket integral with the sound-box case 1, which shape formation 38*, on .the outer end of the point.

more the box willbe socket 38, forms a ball and socket joint which allows a free movement to the soundbox in any direction. This enables the extreme point of the needletO to maintain its correct position at the bottom of the groove 41 of the record disk. For it will'readily be seen that, if the sound-box can be allowed to follow the irregularities of the spiral groove, the needle will naturally gravltate to the bottom of the groove, and, always working in the bottom of the groove, and

out of contact with the sides thereof, the

needle, will not only stand up to its work much longer, but the objectionable features, above noted, will also be eradicated. As the ball and socket connection makes the position of the sound-box, balanced on the fine needle point, very sensitive, and liable thereby to jump out, I find it necessary to add sufiicient Weight to counteract this tendency.

This 'I have shown by increasing the base of the size of the socket 38, close to the soundbojv. This weight, however, can be otherwise applied, either by increasing the weight of the socket, orthe case of the sound-box, or in any other desirable manner found most convenient t6 effect a good working balance of the box on the needle This weight should, however, be placed, as near as convenient, directly over the needle so as to obtain all of the advantages necessary to produce thebest results,

and thus relieve the needle of any tendency to drag a load which would viate from the bottom portion of the spiral groove: Therefore, it will be observed that, the greatest amount of metal in the, socket 38 is close to the sound-box. While a ball and socket connection could be placed at some pomt 1n the supporting arm 43, the result would not be the same as I now obtain, for the reason that, the tion' is removed from the sound-box, the v thrown out of balance, and, consequently, the greater will be the amount of metal to be carried by the box,

cause it to defarther this -connecand. the greater will be the drag on the needle.

' The outer end of the sleeve 39 and the supporting arm 43 are removably connected together by means of the angular slot 44 and pin 45. v

-'VVhile I use the team ball and socket joint to express the means whereby the sound-box is permitted to move in'any direction, I desire it to be understood that this term covers a swivel joint, or universal joint or any well known means adapted to give like results.

While I show the points of the needle arms adaptedto be secured to the plate 27 so that said arms will be tied or united at the said points, I hold myself at liberty to tie said arms together at any other point in their length that will be found most convenient.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.- In a soundbox,'t he combination with the case 1 having the bracket 2, of the semicircularconcave seats 6 and 6 located in said bracket, needle-arm support 4 provided with the semi-circular base 5 adapted to oscillate in said seats, bolts 7 adapted to operatively secure contact between said base and seats, springs on said bolts and above said base to maintain working contact between said base and seats, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a sound-box, the combination -with the case and diaphragm, of a plurality of needle arms united into,;'practically, a single structure, and means common to the arms for operatively connecting the same to the diaphragm, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a sound-box, the combination with the case and a diaphragm, of a plurality of needle arms united at some point mtheir length and out ofcontactwith each other except at the point of union, and means common to said arms for operatively connecting the same to'the diaphragm, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a sound box, the combination with the case, and a diaphragm, of a plurality of arms associated with said diaphragm fortransmitt-ing the vibrations, means common to said arms for operatively connecting the same to the diaphragm, and means for adjusting said arms in relation to the diaphragm for regulating the volume of sound.

5. In a sound box, the combination with the case, and a diaphragm, of a plurality of arms associated with said diaphragm for transmitting the vibrations, and means interposed between the ends of said arms and the diaphragm and constltuting a common means for operatively connecting. the arms to the diaphragm.

6'. Tara sound box, the combination with caused to be transmitted in a uniform H the case, and a diaphragm, of a plurality of volume. arms associated with said diaphragm for Signed at Bridgeport in the county of transmitting the vibrations, said arms ex- Fairfield and State of Connecticut this 11th 5 tending in substantial parallelism with each day of Sept. A. D. 1905. 7

other, and means connecting the ends of said WILLIAM J. TANNER. arms and the diaphragm and constituting a i Witnesses: common connection for the arms with the HENRY A. HOUSE, diaphragm, whereby the vibrations are FRANK B. FEUlON. 

